Being a Breast Cancer Survivor without chemo/radiation

J--,

You had a terrible experience with chemo. I don't blame you for feeling as you do. Adryamyacin is called "The red devil,'' I believe, and it's a hard one to take. I'm surprised that more wasn't done for you to make you more comfortable and the side effects less. Do you live in the U.S.?

I'm Stage 4 but never had IV chemo. I may down the road, not sure. My tumor was so tiny it was almost laughable but ONE sentinel node was positive. Chemo not recommended, but radiation was. I had a lumpectomy and radiation which was very tolerable. Then onto Arimidex and Tamoxifen. Bone mets everywhere 1 and 1/2 years later. Now on oral chemo pills. Been 3 years so far with mets.

Yes, we all need to make our own individual decisions concerning treatment. It's a tough situation to be in. I wish you much good luck and very good days ahead!   Kats2

Were you triple positive? Did they recommend chemo? I am sorry about the mets, but it sounds like you are doing ok?  

Clumpit said:

No. I'm heading home in a

No. I'm heading home in a week.  I have two appointments a couple of days apart for evaluation and plan of attack.  I assume that they will suggest a lumpectomy with whatever follows. The lesion is only about 1cm.  I would guess they'll take a few of my lymph nodes while doing the lumpectomy to check them and go from there. I'm trying to decipher the pathology report  ACS has a pamphlet you can download to explain the pathology. It's intimidating to look at the numbers and understand what they mean. 

Clumpit, your pathology report may change when you have the lumpectomy. Mine  did. Good luck with it!

One funny thing that often occurs to me is that my diet was much better before Cancer came knocking. Since my bone mets showed up, I sorta decided I should just go ahead and eat whatever I wanted. That doesn't mean I turned into a junk food junkie, just that I get more treats than I used to - like dark chocolate M&M's in bed at night!

A month ago, I was rearranging my bedroom and apparently pulled a groin muscle. And THAT HURTS!!! I don't think it's in any way related to my bc, except for the fact I used to be a yoga instructor, and was in great shape. Since I have been stage 4 for about 2 1/2 years, and have osteoporosis and bone mets, I read that gentle walking is the most appropriate exercise for me. So I am not in real good shape now.

So, anyway, I just got back from 10 days in Mexico, where my sister had to push me around in a wheelchair, mostly. How I do hate feeling like a partial invalid. I did some pool walking, and thoroughly enjoyed not having any responsibilities or chores to do.So you see, there are advantages to Stage 4 cancer! Eat what you like and go on vacations!

I was happy to read from a couple of members here that some are not doing chemo or radiation. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but as we all know, we are grown-ups!!! We get to choose what we want to do!! Yay!!!

To refresh memories, I never did radiation or IV Chemo, but I feel good, never sick, (knock wood) and hope things keep on in that way. I take Boswelia (oil of frankincense), turmeric, and a couple of other supplements, and am just riding this thing out to see what happens. I aim for no stress. My cancer markers go up and down: I have them checked every three months. My CA15-3 at 253, is lower now than it was two years ago, but my CEA has slowly crept up to 205. The CEA supposedly measures "tumor burden" and helps predict the person's prognosis. I know I have lots of bone mets from my skull down to my hips. But if I hadn't pulled a groin muscle, I'd be feeling good. People tell me all the time that I "don't look like I have cancer." 

 I have searched online multiple times, trying to get information/statistics on how long women can be expected to live when they don't do any standard medical treatments. I'm not having much luck at all. Is no one keeping track? I must write that down so I remember to ask my oncologist next time. Surely oncologists take notice when a patient of theirs, who was only being followed but not treated, dies. I've made it 2 1/2 years so far: my oncologist told me that she thought I could live 10 more years without treatment!l

Hang in there, everyone!

L.A.

 And P.S., Marisa, I like the idea of keto/ low carb diets, but I really like my carbs more!